Fireplace having a damper-fuel gas supply interlock

ABSTRACT

A fireplace having a gas-fired burner extending substantially the entire transverse dimension of the firebox for producing an elongated flame zone in the space between two artificial logs. The fuel supply control means for the burner is located in a control compartment below the bottom wall of the firebox to minimize the overall width of the fireplace. Preferably the fuel supply control means is interlocked with the flue damper so that fuel gas can be delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,831,582 Mahoney 1 Aug. 27, 1974 [5FIREPLACE HAVING A DAMPER-FUEL 2,996,064 8/1961 Haas 128/288 GAS SUPPLYINTERLOCK 3,096,754 7/1963 Howrey 126/288 X [75] Inventor: {(ejnneth L.Mahoney, Fort Wayne, Primary Examiner Meyer Perlin n AssistantExaminerRonald C. Capossela [73] Assignee: American Standard Inc., NewYork, Attorney, Agent, or FirmJefferson Ehrlich; Robert NY. G. Crooks;John E. McRae [22'] Filed: July 12, 1972 211 App]. No: 270,907 [57]ABSTRACT A fireplace having a gas-fired burner extending substantiallythe entire transverse dimension of the fire- [52] US. Cl 126/286,126/127, box for producing an elongated flame Zone in the 51 1 Cl F23]11/02 space between two artificial logs. The fuel supply con- 'P i 288127' trol means for the burner is located in a control com- 1 0 rc Ipartment below the bottom wall of the firebox to minimize the overallwidth of the fireplace. Preferably the fuel supply control means isinterlocked with the flue [5 6] References cued damper so that fuel gascan be delivered to the burner UNITED STATES PATENTS only when thedamper is in its fully open position. 315,210 4/1885 Zschetzschineck126/286 X 409,765 8/1889 Young 126/128 24 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresPAnimmwszmn FIG. 1

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FIREPLACE HAVING A DAMPER-FUEL GAS SUPPLY INTERLOCK SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The invention proposes a fireplace having a ribbon type gasburner extending transversely across the firebox in the space betweentwo artifical logs. The burner includes a downwardly extending mixertube that receives a fuel gas spud in a subjacent control compartment.The mixer tube does not appreciably add to the length of the burner;therefore the burner can provide a flame pattern for almost the entirelog length. There is very little lost space adjacent the ends of thelogs so that the fireplace can be of minimum width while still providinga relatively extensive flame pattern.

Preferably the fuel gas supply valve for the burner is interlocked withthe flue gas damper so that fuel gas can be supplied to the burner onlywhen the damper is in its fully open position. The object of thisarrangement is to ensure against the possibility that the products ofcombustion might be discharged into the room, as would otherwise bepossible if the damper were inadverently left closed while the fuel gassupply valve was opened.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a sectional view of a fireplace embodying theinvention, taken on line 1-1 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. I, but illustrating another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention, taken on line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating another embodiment of theinvention.

The fireplace shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an outer casing 8 whichincludes a back panel 10, side panels 12 and 14, front panel 16, and toppanel 18. The

fireplace further comprises an inner firebox casing which includes aback wall 22, internal side walls 24 and 26, bottom wall 28 and interiorroof wall 30. The space between outer casing 8 and firebox casing 20 maybe a dead air space or a glass-foam filled space for insulationpurposes; alternately fans (not shown) may be positioned in said spaceto circulate air around the exterior surfaces of the firebox and outinto the room, in the manner of conventional circulator fireplaces.

Products of combustion are exhausted from the firebox combustion space32 through a circular cross section flue 34 located within a radiantshield tube 36. A square damper 38 is pivotally mounted below flue 34,as by means of a hinge 40, for movement between a closed position (fulllines) and an open position (dotted lines). In its open position thedamper rests against the upper face area of a downdraft deflector plate42, which acts to divert downdrafts away from the subjacent burner tube41.

Damper 38 is moved between its closed and opened positions by means of alinkage which includes a manual crank structure 44 located in a controlcompartment 46 formed below firebox 20; i.e., between firebox wall 28and base pan 29. Structure 44 comprises a shaft having an upwardlyextending handle 47 at its forward end, and a laterally extending crankarm 43 at its rear end. The shaft is positioned in suitable bearings 48carried on front and rear platforms or straps 49.

Handle 47 extends upwardly through a slot 50 in the bottom wall of thefirebox to enable crank structure 44 to be moved manually in a verticalarc about the axis of shaft 45, as indicated by numeral 52 (FIG. 2).Arcuate movement of structure 44 causes crank arm 43 to move clockwise(FIG. 2) to move the connected link 53 downwardly. Link 53 has its upperend pivotally connected to another link 54 that connects with damper 38.Therefore, it will be seen that clockwise movement of handle 47 (FIG. 2)produces downward movement of damper 38 from its full line closedposition to its dotted line open position. An overcenter tension spring51 can be trained between a fixed anchorage 39 and an anchorage 37 onhandle 47 to normally hold the linkage structure in the damper-closedposition, except when handle 47 is manually moved. The spring is omittedfrom FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frontmost bracket 49 carries an auxiliarybracket arm 55 that mounts a normally open snap switch 56. The switchhas an operator arm 58 that extends forwardly across the path taken byhandle 47 as it moves to the damper-open position. There fore the handlemovement not: only controls the damper but also the switch.

The switch is electrically connected to the solenoid portion of aconventional fuel gas supply valve 60 mounted on bracket 59 in fluidconnection with a fuel gas supply line 61. The valve includes a maindischarge line 62 that terminates in a spud 69 partially entering intothe air-fuel gas mixer tube portion 63 of the aforementioned burner 41.As seen in FIG. 2, burner 41 is of generally L-shaped configuration; itincludes an elongated horizontal burner port section 64 and the shortervertical venturi mixer portion 63. The burner is shown resting on theupper concave edges of two widely spaced log-support brackets 65 and 66which are suitably screwed or otherwise carried on bottom wall 28 of thefirebox. The preferred arrangement is such that the L-shaped burner canbe lifted off brackets 65, 66 and the subjacent fuel gas spud whennecessary for clean-out purposes, inspection, repair, replacement, etc.

Brackets 65 and 66 are appropriately connected with a V-shaped cradle 67that removably mounts an artificial log 68. A second bracket-cradleassembly is positioned forwardly from burner 4l to mount a somewhatsmaller artifical log 68. The second assembly is carried on a panel 28'that forms a removable portion of the firebox bottom wall. Removal ofpanel 28 furnishes access to the gas valve, switch, wiring and othermechanisms located in control compartment 46.

It will be seen from FIG. 2 that port section 64 of burner 41 occupiessubstantially the entire transverse dimension of the firebox betweenside walls 24 and 26. The burner can therefore provide flames overessentially the entire length of log 68. The fireplace can be relativelysmall in a transverse dimension while still providing a highly visiblelog fire effect. The L-shaped character of the burner, together with thedisposition of the fuel supply control mechanism in a subjacent controlchamber, contributes to the compact fireplace design.

may be electrically connected in series with the valve.

60 solenoid and thermopile 73, such that the thermopile cannot energizethe valve solenoid -except when switch 56 is in the closed position,which happens only when damper 38 is open. If the system is to besupplied with electrical power from an external source then thethermopile or bulb' 73 may be used to control a switch in the powercircuit. Switch 56 may be connected in series with the power switch andthe valve solenoid to make the burner ignition process dependent on theposition of damper 38.

Switch 56 may be considered as part of the fuel supply control means inthat it controls gas valve 60. Crank structure 44 may be considered asan interlock means between the damper and the fuel supply control means.

FIG. 3

The FIG. 3 structureis quite similar to the structure of FIGS. 1 and 2except for the interconnecting mechanism between the damper and themanual control element. As shown in FIG. 3, the interconnectingmechanism comprises a flexible connector 80 having a sleeve 82 anchoredand clamped at its opposite ends, as at 84 and 86. Clamp 84 isassociated with an upstanding bracket 87 that supports manual lever 88for arcuate movement around pivot shaft 89. The lower end of lever 88 isconnected with a wire 90 that runs within sleeve 82 to an anchorage 92on damper 38. It will be seen that arcuate manual movement of lever 88in a front-to-rear plane will produce an opening or closing movement ofthe. damper 38.

The lower front edge area of lever 88 preferably registers with anoperator arm 58 of snap switch 56, such that when lever 88 is moved asufficient distance to fully open damper 38 the switch is actuated fromits normally open condition to its circuit closed condition. The switchmay be interconnected with the electrical power supply for valve 60 inthe aforementioned manner so that operation of the switch causes fuelgas to be delivered to the burner.

FIG. 4

In the FIG. 4 arrangement the flue damper consists of a butterfly damperblade 38 carried on a pivot shaft 94 that extends forwardly into theroom. A knob 96 can be manually turned to move the shaft and damper fromthe illustrated open position to the closed position, not shown.

Shaft 94 carries an arm 98 that engages the actuator button of switch 56when the damper nears its full open position. Switch 56 may be mountedon any suitable support structure, as for example the illustrated strap99 screwed or otherwise affixed to the fireplace front panel 16. A tab101 may be struck out of the strap to limit movement of arm 98 andthereby prevent damage to the switch.

Suitable wiring, not shown, would interconnect switch 56 with the gasvalve located in the control compartment beneath or adjacent thefirebox. Access to switch 56 may be had through an escutcheon 102screwed or clipped onto the fireplace front panel. Operationally theFIG. 4 device would function in the same fashion as the earlierdescribed structures.

Switch 56 may be viewed as an interlock means between the damper and gassupply means in that it locks out the valve at all times other than whenthe damper is in the full open position.

FIG. 6

FIG. 6 fragmentarily illustrates an embodiment of the invention whereinthe fuel gas supply valve is actuated by mechanical means rather thanelectrical means. As shown, the gas valve 60 includes a poppet valveelement 104 whose shaft 106 extends out of the valve casing intoregistery with an arm 108 carried by shaft 45.

Shaft 45 would correspond with the similarly numbered shaft shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the shaft would in practice form part of amanually-operated crank structure 44. As shown in FIG. 6, manualrotation of the crank structure to the damper-open position would beaccompanied by a downward movement of shaft 106 and a consequent openingof the poppet 104. The gas burner would thereby be supplied with fuelfor ignition from the adjacent pilot flame or other ignition device.

With the FIG. 6 arrangement it would be necessary to position a secondthermocouple-energized solenoid valve in series flow connection with gasvalve 60'. The second valve would function as a safety to preventdelivery of fuel gas to the main burner if the pilot flame wereextinguished.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION An important feature of the invention isbelieved to be the L-shaped construction of burner 41, whereby theair-fuel gas mixer tube 63 extends vertically rather than horizontally.With this arrangement the mixer tube can perform its function withoutincreasing the total length of the burner beyond the dimensions of thefirebox and/or without necessitating an increase in the firebox width.

Another important feature of the invention is believed to be thedisposition of the control compartment 46 directly below the firebox.With such an arrangement the control components are accessible (throughpanel 28') while still being-concealed from view. Further, the controlcompartment does not add to the overall width or depth of the fireplace,and the fireplace can therefore be installed in relatively restrictedspaces.

In the illustrated arrangements the burner is turned on or off bymovement of a conveniently accessible handle, knob or similar element.In the arrangements of FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 the handle is located on thehearth. In the FIG. 4 arrangement the knob is located above thefireplace opening. In each case the element is in a readily accessiblelocation where the user is in no danger of burning himself during thetum-off or turn-on operations.

A common feature of the various illustrated embodi' ments is theinterlock between the damper and fuel gas supply means. In the FIG. 1structure the interlock comprises handle 47 and switch operator 58. Inthe FIG. 4 structure the interlock consists of the actuator arm 98. Inthe FIG. 6 construction the interlock take the form of a lever 108.

The damper-gas valve interlock is advantageous in preventing outrush ofcombustion products into the room, as would otherwise be possible if thedamper were permitted to be closed while the burner was in operation.

I claim:

1. A fireplace comprising a firebox, a fuel gas burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means including a solenoid located in the control compartment; aflue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustionproducts therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manualcontrol means for moving the damper between its opened and closedpositions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having aburner port section extending horizontally across the firebox forsubstantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including amixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of the controlcompartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply controlmeans including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube tosupply same with fuel, and means responsive to the opening of the damperto actuate the solenoid to allow fuel to be supplied to said burner.

2. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the L-shaped burner is removablysupported within the firebox so that it can be lifted away from the fuelgas spud.

3. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the forward section of the fireboxbottom wall is removable for access to the control compartment.

4. The fireplace of claim I and further comprising means interlockingthe damper and the solenoid of said fuel supply control means so thatfuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its openposition.

5. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper is moved to and from itsopen position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical are; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.

6. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper is carried on a pivotshaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; saidinterlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front ofthe flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from itsopen position.

7. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper control means includes amanual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in avertical are; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottomwall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

8. The fireplace of claim 7 wherein the fuel supply control meanscomprises an electrically-controlled gas valve, and an electric switchoperable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having amechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoesthe aforementioned arcuate movement.

9. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means including a solenoid valve located in the controlcompartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhaustingcombustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close theflue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened andclosed positions; and means for coupling the damper with the so lenoidvalve of said fuel supply means so that, in response to the movement ofthe damper, fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is inits open position.

10. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper is moved to and from itsopen position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical are; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.

11. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper is carried on a pivotshaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; saidinterlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front ofthe flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from itsopen position.

12. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper control means includes amanual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in avertical are; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottomwall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

13. The fireplace of claim 12 wherein the fuel supply control meanscomprises, in addition to the valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.

14. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is deliveredto the burner only when the damper is in its substantially openposition, said. interlocking means including a solenoid to control saidfuel supply means and switch means operated in response to the movementof said manual control means to control the operation of said solenoid.

15. The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper is moved to and fromits open position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical are; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.

16. The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper is carried on a pivotshaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; said switchmeans being disposed in front of the flue for actuation upon movement ofthe shaft as the damper moves to and from its open position.

17. The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper control means includesa manual lever fulcrumed in the control compartment for movement in avertical are; said lever extending upwardly through a slot in the bottomwall of the firebox to provide an exposed actuator handle.

18. The fireplace of claim 17 wherein the aforementioned lever has amechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoesthe aforementioned arcuate movement.

19. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; 21 flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burnerbeing an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port sectionextending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entiretransverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extendingdownwardly in the direction of the control compartment near one sidewallof the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spudextending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position;said manual control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in thecontrol compartment for movement in a vertical are; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle; said fuel supply control means including anelectrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.

20. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burnerbeing an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port sectionextending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entiretransverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extendingdownwardly in the direction of control compartment near one sidewall ofthe firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spudextending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position;the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly fromthe flue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electricswitch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as thedamper moves to and from its open position.

21. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; meansinterlocking the dam er and fuel supply means so that fuel is deliveredto tlie burner only when the damper is in its open position; the dampercontrol means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising anelectrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.

22. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is deliveredto the burner only when the damper is in its open position; the damperbeing carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue intothe room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switch disposedin front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves toand from its open position.

23. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is deliveredto the burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; thedamper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical are; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising anelectrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.

24. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located inthefirebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuelsuppl control means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; and meansinterlocking the dam er and fuel supply means so that fuel is deliveredto t e burner only when the damper is in its fully open position; thedamper being carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from theflue into the room; said interlocking means comprising an electricswitch disposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as thedamper moves to and from its open positlon.

1. A fireplace comprising a firebox, a fuel gas burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means including a solenoid located in the control compartment; aflue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustionproducts therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manualcontrol means for moving the damper between its opened and closedpositions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burner having aburner port section extending horizontally across the firebox forsubstantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner including amixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of the controlcompartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply controlmeans including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube tosupply same with fuel, and means responsive to the opening of the damperto actuate the solenoid to allow fuel to be supplied to said burner. 2.The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the L-shaped burner is removablysupported within the firebox so that it can be lifted away from the fuelgas spud.
 3. The fireplace of claim 1 wherein the forward section of thefirebox bottom wall is removable for access to the control compartment.4. The fireplace of claim 1 and further comprising means interlockingthe damper and the solenoid of said fuel supply control means so thatfuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its openposition.
 5. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein the damper is moved to andfrom its open position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in thecontrol compartment for moveMent in a vertical arc; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.
 6. The fireplace of claim 4 wherein thedamper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flueinto the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switchdisposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the dampermoves to and from its open position.
 7. The fireplace of claim 4 whereinthe damper control means includes a manual lever fulcrumed in thecontrol compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle.
 8. The fireplace of claim 7 wherein the fuelsupply control means comprises an electrically-controlled gas valve, andan electric switch operable to open and close said valve; theaforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch tooperate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.
 9. Afireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; acontrol compartment located below the firebox; fuel supply control meansincluding a solenoid valve located in the control compartment; a flueextending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion productstherefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual controlmeans for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions; andmeans for coupling the damper with the solenoid valve of said fuelsupply means so that, in response to the movement of the damper, fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position.10. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein the damper is moved to and from itsopen position by means of a crank structure fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical arc; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.
 11. The fireplace of claim 9 wherein thedamper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flueinto the room; said interlocking means comprising an electric switchdisposed in front of the flue for actuation by the shaft as the dampermoves to and from its open position.
 12. The fireplace of claim 9wherein the damper control means includes a manual lever fulcrumed inthe control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said leverextending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox toprovide an exposed actuator handle.
 13. The fireplace of claim 12wherein the fuel supply control means comprises, in addition to thevalve, and an electric switch operable to open and close said valve; theaforementioned lever having a mechanical connection with said switch tooperate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.
 14. Afireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; acontrol compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuel supply controlmeans located in the control compartment; a flue extending upwardly fromthe firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom; a damperarranged to open and close the flue; manual control means for moving thedamper between its opened and closed positions; and means interlockingthe damper and fuel supply means so that fuel is delivered to the burneronly when the damper is in its substantially open position, saidinterlocking means including a solenoid to control said fuel supplymeans and switch means operated in response to the movement of saidmanual control means to control the operation of said solenoid.
 15. Thefireplace of claim 14 wherein the damper is moved to and from its openposition by means of a crank structure fulcRumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical arc; said crank structureincluding a horizontal shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction, ahandle extending upwardly from the shaft through a forward section ofthe firebox bottom wall, and a crank arm extending from the shaftadjacent the firebox rear wall.
 16. The fireplace of claim 14 whereinthe damper is carried on a pivot shaft that extends forwardly from theflue into the room; said switch means being disposed in front of theflue for actuation upon movement of the shaft as the damper moves to andfrom its open position.
 17. The fireplace of claim 14 wherein the dampercontrol means includes a manual lever fulcrumed in the controlcompartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle.
 18. The fireplace of claim 17 wherein theaforementioned lever has a mechanical connection with said switch tooperate same as it undergoes the aforementioned arcuate movement.
 19. Afireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel gas burner located in thefirebox; a control compartment located below the firebox; fuel supplycontrol means located in the control compartment; a flue extendingupwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion products therefrom;a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual control means formoving the damper between its opened and closed positions; said burnerbeing an L-shaped ribbon type burner having a burner port sectionextending horizontally across the firebox for substantially its entiretransverse dimension, said burner including a mixer tube extendingdownwardly in the direction of the control compartment near one sidewallof the firebox; said fuel supply control means including a fuel gas spudextending upwardly to the mixer tube to supply same with fuel; meansinterlocking the damper and fuel supply control means so that fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position;said manual control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in thecontrol compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle; said fuel supply control means including anelectrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.
 20. A fireplace comprising a firebox; afuel gas burner located in the firebox; a control compartment locatedbelow the firebox; fuel supply control means located in the controlcompartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhaustingcombustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close theflue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened andclosed positions; said burner being an L-shaped ribbon type burnerhaving a burner port section extending horizontally across the fireboxfor substantially its entire transverse dimension, said burner includinga mixer tube extending downwardly in the direction of controlcompartment near one sidewall of the firebox; said fuel supply controlmeans including a fuel gas spud extending upwardly to the mixer tube tosupply same with fuel; means interlocking the damper and fuel supplycontrol means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when thedamper is in its open position; the damper being carried on a pivotshaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; saidinterlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front ofthe flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from itsopen position.
 21. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burnerlocated in the firebox; a control compartment located below the firebox;fuel supply control means located in the control compartment; a flueextending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting comBustion productstherefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual controlmeans for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions;means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its open position;the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed in thecontrol compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said lever extendingupwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox to provide anexposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control means comprising anelectrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switch operable toopen and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having a mechanicalconnection with said switch to operate same as it undergoes theaforementioned arcuate movement.
 22. A fireplace comprising a firebox; afuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartment located belowthe firebox; fuel supply control means located in the controlcompartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox for exhaustingcombustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open and close theflue; manual control means for moving the damper between its opened andclosed positions; means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means sothat fuel is delivered to the burner only when the damper is in its openposition; the damper being carried on a pivot shaft that extendsforwardly from the flue into the room; said interlocking meanscomprising an electric switch disposed in front of the flue foractuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from its openposition.
 23. A fireplace comprising a firebox; a fuel burner located inthe firebox; a control compartment located adjacent the firebox; fuelsupply control means located in the control compartment; a flueextending upwardly from the firebox for exhausting combustion productstherefrom; a damper arranged to open and close the flue; manual controlmeans for moving the damper between its opened and closed positions;means interlocking the damper and fuel supply means so that fuel isdelivered to the burner only when the damper is in its fully openposition; the damper control means including a manual lever fulcrumed inthe control compartment for movement in a vertical arc; said leverextending upwardly through a slot in the bottom wall of the firebox toprovide an exposed actuator handle; the fuel supply control meanscomprising an electrically controlled gas valve, and an electric switchoperable to open and close said valve; the aforementioned lever having amechanical connection with said switch to operate same as it undergoesthe aforementioned arcuate movement.
 24. A fireplace comprising afirebox; a fuel burner located in the firebox; a control compartmentlocated adjacent the firebox; fuel supply control means located in thecontrol compartment; a flue extending upwardly from the firebox forexhausting combustion products therefrom; a damper arranged to open andclose the flue; manual control means for moving the damper between itsopened and closed positions; and means interlocking the damper and fuelsupply means so that fuel is delivered to the burner only when thedamper is in its fully open position; the damper being carried on apivot shaft that extends forwardly from the flue into the room; saidinterlocking means comprising an electric switch disposed in front ofthe flue for actuation by the shaft as the damper moves to and from itsopen position.